"This is really hard to handle. It seems I can only leave it to Amiya."
Daniel Davis had a rough idea of what Zima, Gummy, and the others had gone through in Chernobog. But precisely because he knew, the situation was complicated. No matter how much they tried to shift the blame to the immortal black snake, the fact remained that Zima, Gummy, and the others had suffered at the hands of the Reunion Movement.
The harm they endured could be described as a life-and-death grudge. After all, some of them had lost parents or loved ones in Chernobog, killed by the Reunion Movement.
For example, Zima's parents and Istina's parents were Chernobog residents. Since they weren't nobles or wealthy, it would have been difficult for them to escape when chaos struck.
The only one whose parents were confirmed safe was Gummy. Her parents worked outside Chernobog in a highly secretive job, possibly related to some ruins. Even Gummy didn't know where they were or what they were doing.
As for the others, Daniel Davis wasn't sure. He didn't even know if Rosa's parents were safe.
"Speaking of which, Zima is definitely stronger than Rosa, yet she's only a 5-star operator while Rosa is a 6-star. If they were to fight, Rosa probably couldn't even beat Gummy. Is it because she's a sniper?"
"Amiya, Doctor, you've worked hard."
Daniel Davis found Amiya and the Doctor working in the temporary office hall of the core city. Due to the lack of talent within the Reunion Movement, they had no choice but to rely on Rhodes Island.
The Doctor, in particular, had extensive experience in post-war reconstruction. Thanks to his help, the Reunion Movement's new system was implemented at an unprecedented speed.
The Doctor gave Daniel Davis a helpless look before diving back into the documents in front of him. Amiya, however, stopped her work when she saw Daniel Davis. Her main task was assisting the Doctor.
"Doctor, you still have a lot of work to do. You can't rest yet." Seeing Amiya like this reminded Daniel Davis of a famous scene in Terra.
"Doctor, I need Amiya's help with something. Is that okay?"
"Sure, go ahead."
The Doctor answered instantly, as if he couldn't wait to have Amiya taken away so he could sneak in a break.
"What do you need me to do?" Amiya immediately asked.
"I need you to talk to a few people. They're good individuals, and you might even bring them to Rhodes Island." Daniel Davis briefly explained the situation with Zima and the others.
"I understand. Thank you, Mr. Shen." Amiya's expression turned serious.
"I've told you before, no need to be so formal." Daniel Davis smiled and patted Amiya's ears.
"Mr. Shen!" Amiya pushed his hand away, clearly displeased.
"How's the situation?"
After Amiya went to talk to Zima and the others, Daniel Davis bid farewell to the Doctor and went to find FrostNova, who was patrolling the core city with the Shieldguards.
"Although many people have left, some have chosen to stay. The city is recovering." FrostNova gave a brief overview of what had happened in the core city over the past few days.
With no restrictions on leaving and even Rhodes Island operators escorting them, many of the surviving Ursus residents chose to leave immediately.
However, not a single infected person left. All of them stayed, despite their anger toward the Reunion Movement for causing this disaster. They had no choice but to accept the reality.
On this land, Ursus had the harshest treatment of the infected. As infected individuals, they could only stay because returning to Ursus would mean certain death.
In other countries, while life for the infected was difficult, it wasn't impossible to survive. But in Ursus, specialized infected search teams hunted down the infected and sent them to the mines.
During this process, it didn't matter who you were—if you were infected, the result was the same. This was why Rhodes Island had no offices in Ursus.
Rhodes Island had offices in almost every country on Terra, including several mobile cities in Yan. But not in Ursus.
As Ursusians, they knew all too well how Ursus treated the infected. Staying was their only chance of survival. Leaving without returning to Ursus and trying to live in the wilderness was almost suicidal.
Living in the wilderness wasn't easy, after all. Not everyone could be like the Hammer Guild.
Since the infected stayed, many non-infected also chose to remain—mostly family members of the infected. In Ursus, living with someone infected with Oripathy was impossible, but in Chernobog, it was feasible.
"The Snowsquad is back."
While Daniel Davis and FrostNova were discussing the situation in the core city, a Reunion member rushed over to report that the Snowsquad had returned. Hearing this, the two quickly ended their conversation.
"Big Sis." The Snowsquad appeared before FrostNova, looking travel-worn. Seeing them, FrostNova's expression softened, and the Snowsquad members were equally emotional.
FrostNova and the Snowsquad shared a deep bond, willing to lay down their lives for each other. This was the first time they had been separated for so long.
Worried about FrostNova's situation, they had discussed with Faust and decided to leave the group to return as quickly as possible.
"At least my efforts weren't in vain. They didn't all die in Lungmen." Watching FrostNova and the Snowsquad reunite, Daniel Davis nodded slightly before leaving.
"Warfarin, Shining, Nightingale, Sussurro, Gavial, Hibiscus... This is the first time I've seen so many medical operators in one place."
If there was anyone truly busy in the core city right now, it was undoubtedly Rhodes Island's medical operators. Chernobog's medical system had collapsed when the Reunion Movement took over. Even if it hadn't, it would have been useless in the current situation.
Ursus' cruelty toward the infected meant there were no doctors researching Oripathy treatment. Upon encountering an infected person, their first thought would be to report them, not treat them.
"What brings you here? How's the situation with the supplies?" Kal'tsit, who had just finished a surgery, was surprised to see Daniel Davis.
"I've contacted Wei Yenwu, and he's agreed to expedite the process. By the way, I have a type of medicine here. I'm not sure if it's effective against Oripathy, but it needs to be researched."
Seeing the fatigue on Kal'tsit's face, Daniel Davis placed a box on the table.
"Now's not the time for research." Although Kal'tsit was curious about the medicine, she knew that researching it would take time. Right now, many lives in Chernobog were hanging by a thread.
"This herb, in the world it comes from, is said to cure all diseases. While that's an exaggeration, it is effective against many illnesses."
Daniel Davis took out the Panacea herb from the Hunter x Hunter world. Due to its unique properties and the fact that he had mastered its cultivation, he carried a significant amount with him.
"Cures all diseases?" Kal'tsit's expression shifted upon hearing this. As a doctor, she understood the immense value of such a herb.
"Yes. I have detailed research records. Dr. Kal'tsit, since you're taking a break, why not visit my lab?"
"Your lab? Here?" Kal'tsit looked at Daniel Davis skeptically. Unless he was lying, it was impossible for him to have a lab in the core city.
"Exactly. Some things need to be seen to be believed."
"Alright."
Kal'tsit called over a reserve medical operator, gave a few instructions, and then left with Daniel Davis.
"Welcome to my lab."
Daniel Davis led Kal'tsit to an empty area behind the central region of the core city. He then took out a suitcase-like object, placed it on the ground, and in an instant, a six-story building appeared.
A six-story building wasn't particularly remarkable in the core city, but the fact that it appeared out of thin air made even the ever-knowledgeable Kal'tsit widen her eyes in shock.
In that moment, she realized the terrifying potential of such technology.
"The latest novel is first published on 69shuba!"
"Red Queen, this is Dr. Kal'tsit. Confirm her access level and pull up the medical records." Upon entering the building, Kal'tsit remained calm upon seeing the red-dressed little girl projected in the air. Artificial intelligence wasn't new to her.
Rhodes Island had several AI systems, including the terminal managing the entire ship and several small vehicles equipped with AI.
It had to be said that Raythean Industries was impressive. Selling such small vehicles so freely suggested they had even more advanced technology.
"These are some research records on the Panacea herb. Take a look."
"The effects are indeed strong, but this herb must be rare, right?" With her medical expertise, Kal'tsit quickly understood the herb's potential through the records.
"Of course. In a way, this herb is like a relic from a previous civilization. Obtaining it is extremely dangerous."
Some parts of the Dark Continent clearly had traces of human habitation. Considering this, the Dark Continent might indeed be the location of a previous civilization. Otherwise, there wouldn't be so many ruins. Only a world with a previous civilization could have so many ruins to excavate.
For example, Honkai and now Terra.
"However, thanks to my abilities, I've managed to collect some of this herb. Whether it can cure Oripathy is another matter, but at the very least, it can alleviate pain and illness. It's not something that can be mass-produced, but it can be used by a select few. Even if it's not used for treatment, it can prevent diseases and strengthen the body. I think Amiya could use some to make tea."
It's not like being infected with Oripathy means you can't get other diseases. Oripathy isn't that powerful. This is another tragedy for the infected.
Being infected makes them more susceptible to complications from other illnesses.
"You're really extravagant."
Kal'tsit was somewhat speechless at Daniel Davis's suggestion of using such a precious herb to make tea. There couldn't be anything more luxurious than that.
"Extravagant? Now that I think about it, it really is."
In fact, Daniel Davis wasn't the only one using this herb to make tea. He had a significant amount of the herb and wasn't stingy about sharing it. Most of the people around him had access to it.
"I'll thank you on Amiya's behalf."
Kal'tsit was genuinely grateful for Daniel Davis's care for Amiya. As for whether Daniel Davis had ulterior motives, based on her observations and Amiya's confirmation, while he might have some minor intentions, overall, he harbored no ill will toward Rhodes Island or the infected.
"No need to be so formal. However, I hope this doesn't become widely known. If it leaks out, it could cause some trouble." A medicine that could cure all diseases would undoubtedly attract a lot of attention if it became public knowledge.
"Don't worry, not many people will know." Kal'tsit had more experience in the world than Daniel Davis. She understood the consequences of such information leaking.
In fact, she didn't even plan to use it freely to save lives. Kal'tsit was well aware of the saying, "Give them an inch, and they'll take a mile." Rhodes Island had an operator named Nine-Colored Deer who had always provided free treatment, only to be accused of having ulterior motives.
Therefore, while Rhodes Island consistently treated the infected, it wasn't unconditional.
"This is nanotechnology. Using this, we can shatter the Originium in the body and expel it. While this won't completely cure Oripathy, it can significantly reduce the pain of Oripathy attacks."
The next day, Kal'tsit took the opportunity during a break to gather all the medical operators in Daniel Davis's lab. He took the chance to explain what nanotechnology was.
"Can this stay in the body permanently?" Warfarin was the first to ask. Having once gone by the alias "Mr. Blood," she was second only to Kal'tsit in medical expertise. As a Vampire, she had a unique advantage: she could diagnose patients by drinking their blood, a quick and efficient method.
It was quite remarkable that Warfarin, a Vampire, wasn't infected. In theory, she had examined many patients with Oripathy by drinking their blood. Given that Sarkaz were prone to infection, she should have been infected by now.
Yet she remained unaffected. Perhaps this was the unique trait of Vampires.
"Theoretically, yes. But to avoid complications, it's best to remove it after treatment."
"This is indeed a promising approach to treating Oripathy. However, it involves some mechanical knowledge. I think we should call Closure over."
"Captain, what you're doing is provoking Ursus." While Daniel Davis and Kal'tsit were researching Oripathy, Patriot and another figure stood side by side on the rooftop of a derelict high-rise in the core city, overlooking the ongoing reconstruction.
"General, this is also an opportunity—a chance for people to recognize the infected." The only person in the core city who could be called "General" by Patriot was Hellagur, a man who had secretly operated in Chernobog to aid the infected and provide medical assistance.
In terms of rank, Hellagur was much higher than Patriot. But now, this general harbored deep hatred for Ursus. It was unclear what had happened to him in the past.
Strictly speaking, given the military achievements Patriot had made for Ursus—against Laterano, the demons, and others—he should have been promoted to general long ago. Unfortunately, due to his background, he remained a captain until he left Ursus. Prejudice was everywhere.
"Do you really believe he can succeed?"
"I've fought him. If anyone has a chance, it's him. For the infected, even if he fails, it doesn't matter."
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